Pull ups (lifting own dead body weight) I have always found extremely difficult. When I was a nipper I knocked out 16 once but nowadays I'd be lucky if I had strength enough in my grip to hold me from the bar in the hanging position.

Umm, my hands were placed at just about shoulder width, and my palms were facing away.[/quote]

In this technique, it is the trapezius (back muscle) that is the dominent muscle. In fairness few can demonstrate / undertake that many 'overhand' pull ups.

Try hands, shoulder width apart, palms facing you (underhand) technique. You are now using a completely different set of muscle groups, predominently the pectorals (chest) biceps and deltoids. A much stronger 'base' to attempt pullups from. Keep the body relaxed and vertical, avoid excessive movement by keeping the legs under control, I suggest crossing them at the ankles. Don't forget to co-ordinate your breathing cycle as you lift your chin to the bar - breathing out on the raise, in as you descend. Hope that helps. All the very best on the day.

Umm, my hands were placed at just about shoulder width, and my palms were facing away.

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In this technique, it is the trapezius (back muscle) that is the dominent muscle. In fairness few can demonstrate / undertake that many 'overhand' pull ups.

Try hands, shoulder width apart, palms facing you (underhand) technique. You are now using a completely different set of muscle groups, predominently the pectorals (chest) biceps and deltoids. A much stronger 'base' to attempt pullups from. Keep the body relaxed and vertical, avoid excessive movement by keeping the legs under control, I suggest crossing them at the ankles. Don't forget to co-ordinate your breathing cycle as you lift your chin to the bar - breathing out on the raise, in as you descend. Hope that helps. All the very best on the day.[/quote]
Stop confusing things with totally wrong information, bob_law! Trapezuis muscles as the dominant muscle involved in palms-away pull-ups indeed! They play a minor and marginal role in stabilising the body posture during any pull-ups!

bob_law, people are so disconnected from their bodies and its functions as it is, don't add to the confusion, don't add to that by throwing in facts on something you obviously know fÃ¼ck-all about. People ask these questions because they want answers, but not some ghuff waffle!

"bob_law, people are so disconnected from their bodies and its functions as it is, don't add to the confusion, don't add to that by throwing in facts on something you obviously know fÃ¼ck-all about. People ask these questions because they want answers, but not some ghuff waffle!"

Actually, I'm one of those inquistive types who looks at the stickers on the machines to see what muscles are doing what...so bob_law was actually very helpful.